Method and apparatus for producing low temperatures and for frosting the surfaces ofartistic creations



March 18, 1941. R, A GONZALEZ 2.235.071

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING Low TEMPERATURDS AND FDR FROSTING THE FACES 0F ARTIs'rIc CREATIONS ed May 24, 19:59

awk NEY WS wm BY Rafae/ /q-Gonza/ez Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFlcEf TIONS Rafael A.. Gonzales, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Detroit. Mich., a corporation of Delaware l l Application Mey 24. 193s, serial No. .215.4422V s calms. (Chez-415)' My present invention relates to a method and apparatus for frosting the surfaces of hollow bodies, the invention specifically comprising a method and apparatus for the utilization of a volatile refrigerant, such as dichloro-diiluoro methane (Freon), tov produce a very low tem perature in a "brine" (which may b e an actual salt solution, but which is preferably an or-` ganic compound capable of having its temperature lowered toa considerable extent below the freesing point of water without congealing. a preferred substance of this type being diethylene llyool), which is then used to chill the surfaces of artistic creations in an enclosure.

The Iunctionof the present-invention is to maintain a low temperature on the surfaces of artistic creations or other low temperature apparatus by the use of reirigerants and Achilling mediums of a non-iniiaxnmable, non-irritating.

ll and non-toxic character so that the apparatus v may be located in an enclosure without danger oi' `:explosion or loss o! lifefi! the refrigerant or d" chilling medium should escape from the system.

s The principal object o! the present invention is to provide a method and means of creating "acoatingoi'frostonan artistic creationinan enclosure where human beingsv congregate. inl

orderto enhance the appearance oithe'enclosure and contribute to the well-being of human be- 3 ings in the enclosure due to the condensation of atmospheric moisture in the form of frost on the surfaces of the artistic creations and theV tent invention should be apparent from a study of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein tubes 2| and sp1-ying man, 29 such as a perlike numerals refer to like parts throughout. l

gg Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 discloses in schematic fashion a system comprising two variable capacity compressors and connecting apparatus whereby briney circulated in an adjoining circulatory system may be chilled to a temperature below 0 F. without ex- A January 2, 1040, to which reference may be made l a drain' connection 2l for the spent condensing water.

cessive power consumption and with the use of Preon refrigerant; v

Fig. 2 is a partial section through a portion oi' the brine circulatory system illustrating details of the apparatus encircled at 2 in Fig. l: and. I

Fig. 3 is a partial section through a portionv of the brine circulatory apparatus showing details of the portion of the apparatus encircled at 2 in Fig. 1. Y

The present 'invention is specifically designed to chill the body or trunkportion's 2l oi' artistic creations 2| which are preferably formed in accordance with the disclosure of mycopending application. Serial No. 275,441. illed concurrently herewith. 'and used in an enclosure in the manner disclosed in the copending application of Raymond Loewy. Serial No. 275,477. illed concurrently herewith. 'nie artistic creation 1i is connected by brine circulating pipes to a brine' temperaturealtering system 22, which in turn is associated with ja' cooperating refrigerant circulating system 23 including compressors 2l' and 2l. The commessors Il and 2l are preferably of the variable capacity type. preferably comprising a plurality of cylinders. each or any number of which may be unloaded inaccordance with the disclosure o! the copending application of tCharles R. Neocon, Serial No. 177,894, filed December 2. 1937, n0' Patent N0. 2.185.473, issued for a more complete disclosure of the compressor and unloading means. Other types of variable capacity compressors may be used. it being a requirement of my invention only that the compressors comprise means whereby the volumetric capacity thereof should be automatically cone, trolled in accordance with come function oi' the refrigerating load in order to maintain a desired temperature at an economicall power input.

'I'he refrigerating system 2l comprises a prtmary compressor 2l having its unloader mechsnism set to operate at a relatively high range Aof pressures, such as represented by a suction pressure o! 22 pounds to 25 pounds per square 'l inch. The compressor discharges compressed gaseous refrigerant into a discharge pipe 2l leading to a condenser Il comprising refrigerantforated pipe having water admitted thereto, andA 50 Refrigerant which is condensed and lcooled in the condenser'passes through a liquid pipe I2 leading to expanding means, such as the high-side oat valve 23 or the manual valve 24,

either of which may be by manipula- 2 season tion of manual valves 35 and 36 in the branches of a loop connection. Preferably, the liquid is automaticallyexpanded through the high-side float valve 33, but the manual valve 34 may be used intermittently in order to pass the refrigerant through a drier 3l from time to time whereby to remove traces of water from the sys'tem in order to prevent clogging of the system by accumulations of ice. From the expansion meansthe refrigerant, whichnow is a l mixture of gas and liquid, passes through a pipe 40 leading to a pipe 4I which opens into the top of a closed vessel or receiver 42. Liquid which enters the receiver settles to the bottom ofthe receiver, and gas which collects at the top of the receiver is drawn olf through the suction inlet pipe 43 of compressor 25 to be recompressed, condensed, and expanded. As fast as the compressor reduces the pressure in the receiver, more of the liquid refrigerant will volatilize and pass into the compressor.

Pipe 4| not only joins pipe 40, but also joins a pipe 45 comprising the discharge outlet for the secondary compressor 24.- which preferably has its unloader set at a relatively low pressure such as 3 to 5 pounds per square inch. Refrigerant which is compressed -by the secondary compressor 24 minglesvwith thek refrigerant escaping throughv the expansion valve of the primary system while entering` pipe 4 l -and the receiver 42, thereby having its temperature reduced-by the refrigerating effect of the primary system, as well as by the expansion of aportion thereof Ato.for1rx gas in the receiverV 42,. .The fbodyof liquidV refrigerant Which-thusforms in the-bottom of the receiver 42`may, enter the secondary liquid llne146 y which leadstoan automatic expansion valve 41 or amanualY expansion valve-48 located in the arms offa, loop connection, eitheryalve being selected bycperation of :manual valves`49 and 50. The refrigerantpassing the expansionmeans enters aA brinechilling `coll 55 located inbrine cooler;` ."6 and thereafter enters the secondary' compressor 24 through its ,suction inlet pipe 51. When the'kautomaticexpansion valve 48.1s`used, it is preferably automatically' controlled tofmaintain a constantsuperheat inthe suction gas byA the usual .val-ve motorl connected'vby tube 59 to a thermal-bulb'il attached -tothe surface' of suction plpejl. ,f i

Althoug'hth'e previously described system may be used With'fother refrigerants, I prefer the use of Freondichlorohdiiluorofmethane) because of its harmle character land low-pressures at the desired temperaturesain the preferred operation of themsystem theprimarycompressor 25 dischargesv Freon atv apressure of approximately poundsandsuperheated toa temperatureof approximately AF, The cooling water, which may be at.7.0 F,`or.any,other temperature Within a reasonable rangegthereof, causes condensation of the gas and cool-ing ofthe resulting liquid so that the refrigerant approaches the expansion valve at approximatelyf120 pounds and 110 F. The expansion means ofithe primary system ispreferably set Aso that the refrigerant in `pipe 40, receiver 42, and suction inlet 43 is at 25 pounds and 26 F. 'The'. unloade'r of the primary compressor 25 ispreferably setto operate at a range of 22 pounds to 25 pounds suction pressure so that the capacity of the compressor will be automatically varied in order to maintain a pressure of approximately 25 pounds in the receiver 42. Since pipe 40 is connected to the discharge pipe 45 of the secondary compressor 24, the discharge to a pump 68.

entering the cooling coils in the brine cooler 56 will be at a pressure of approximately 3 pounds, and since the refrigerant is saturated at the entering point, it willl have a temperature o! approximately 12 F. After performing the work of cooling the brine in the brine cooler 56, the refrigerant will be superheated and will leave the brine cooler at a pressure of approximately 3 pounds but ata superheated temperature of preferably 5 F. The expansion valve 4l should be so adjusted as to maintain this difference of approximately 17 F., but any other temperature differential may be selected in accordance with good refrigerating practice. Similarly, if the hand valve 48 is used for an expansion means the 'operator may set the valve at any desired point so asto produce a desired temperature at the outlet of the cooler,

The brine cooler preferably comprises a cooler of the refrigerant-tube type in order that freezing of the brine may occur without harmful effect,

and preferably comprises a plurality of baffles 6U, .directing the brine in a direction contrary to the flowA of refrigerant through the tubes 55.

The brine preferably enters through an inlet pipe 65 and leaves through a pipe $1 forming the inlet The outlet 69 of the pump connects with a riser 'l0 leading upward in the hollow interior of the portion of the artistic creation 2i to be frosted. As set forth in my copending application Serial No. 275,441, filed concurrently herewith, the riser 'l0 communicates with the interior space r of the shell 20 adjacent the top thereof, and the brine lls the interior of the shell and 1eaves the sliellthrough a connecting pipe 'l i, A ventcock l2 Amay be provided at the top of the interiorof the shell in order to permit the escape. of air trapped: therein when the brine is being admittedrand an inner shell 13 may be provided in order to reduce theinterior space to be filled by brine and tobrace the-riserpipe 10. The-connecting pipe ll joins thefoutlet of the tree to the brine cooler inlet66 and continues into the bottom of an open balance .tank l5 havingits midpoint on a level with the vent cock 'l2 in order that the pump may operateagainst a constant head. The brine, when chilled by refrigerant at appr'oximately the temperatures previously set forth, will enter the interior of the artistic crea- The artistic creation is preferablymounted in a well 80 filled with a filler of pebbles 8i, or other weight-sustaining, porous filler which will permit Y the rapid escape of Water therethrough, in order that the artistic creation may be defrosted withso 'l defrost rapidly, the brine may lbe circulated through a heater 90 having any convenient source of heat therein or connected thereto and compris-` ing brine coils BI having an inlet l2 connected `to which the compressor comprises unloading means set to maintain a substantially constant, relatively low suction pressure.

4. A retrigeratlng system for producing rela-- tively low temperatures by the use of a refrigperature ot F., comprising a closed vessel, a

frosted sui-laces may be conveniently defrosted erant normally incapable of producing such low 5 by the simple process of stopping the circulation temperatures, comprising a. primary compl'ewl'- or the refrigerant and brine, or by stopping the condenser-expander system including a comcirculation of the refrigerant and continuing presser. comprising unloading means set to circulation of the brine through the -cooler and maintain `a substantially constant, relatively w the artistic creation. However, if it is desired to high suction pressure and of which the expander 1 0 A comprises a closedvessel, andalsecondary re i,

frigerant compressor-condenserxpander sys-l tem connected thereto comprising connections' j, 1 whereby refrigerant compressed '-irlr said Second-.-

l5 connecting pipe 'Il and an outlet 93 connected to ary system isv passed intofsaidlclosed'ivessel antllo the pump inlet 61. Either the heater or the whereby liquid refrigerant*SfdIaWnfOm Said. 7' cooler may be isolated from the remainder oi the closed vessel and expanded -inthe expander `o! y brine circulating system by convenientlyl placed said secondary system; 1 l manual valves. 5. A refrigerating system for producing rela- Having described a preferred arrangement of tively low temperatures by the Se Ofm M1118-, 2o

f my invention, it should be :readilyy apparent to erant normally incapable of producinssuch 10W those skilled in the art that thesarne permits of temperatures. Comprising 'a Driml'y CUmDTeSS0rmodifications in arrangement and detail thereof. wnderlebexpender system including a (20m-f l All such modifications as comewithin the scope Dresser comprising unloading meilnel" t9 i 4 of the following claims are considered to be a U19-mmm Substantially @nstnt'elalf'ively 25..

part of my invention.. high suction pressure and of which the expander I claim: comprises a closed vessel, and a secondary re- 1. A system for chilling the surfaces of hollow friemnt Compressor'condenserexp9'1l-d Us bodies comprising a brine circulating system intem connected thereto comprising onnection 3 cluding a brine cooler and means for circulating whereby refrigerant' compressed miam second' 30 a brine through the interior of the hollow body ary System is passed mt said closed vessel and and said brine cooler; and a refrigerating system whereby liquid refrigerant s d1' Wn from said for. cooling the brine passing through Sam brine closed vessel and expanded in the expander of cooler Comprising a primary refrigerant wm, said secondary system, the compressor of said pressor-condenser-expander system including a Secondary system comprising unloading means 35v compressor comprising unloading means set tc set to maintain a substantially constant, relamaintain a substantially constant, relatively tively kw s ction pressurehigh suction pressure, and a secondary refriger- 6- A refngemting system for producing nu am; compresso?condenser expander system @om tively low temperatures by the use of a refrigerlo usci/eu thereto, of which the condensing means nl normally incapable 0f Producing su@ 10W 4o comprises the expanding means of said primary temperatures, comprising a closed vessel, a pri system and of which the expanding means is so mary compressorwndenserexpander System or constructed and arranged as t9 hm the brine which the expander is said closed vessel and of in said brine circulating system including a comwhich the compressor comprises monding 5,- pwsgm. comprising unloading means Set to umm means set to maintain a substantially constant, w

i tain a substantially constant, relatively low sucela'tively highuction pressure and which dra-w3 .A mm pressure. expanded refrigerant at said substantially lcont. 'The process of chilling a brine for use as a sant relatlely gh Sctn meme goflcam chilling medium for hollow bodies through which c Ose wsse an a' se un ary r r er n om" mi the brine is circulated comprising compressing a prdorgmdelr'spassylsm of which uw 50 volatile refrigerant at a relatively high pressure m7 l; is s in Se tam mdu in rela and temperature, condensing said refrigerant, tre r gera' g y u p c g n ,A ively low temperatures by the use of s. refrigeirpanding sam refrigerant into a closed vessel, Brant @many incapable of producing auch low w withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the upper temperatures comprising a closed vessel, a pri, 5s part of said closed vessel to lower the temperamary compresm.,condensaexpander System of ture therein, withdrawing liquid refrigerant from which the expander is said closed vessel and of the lower part of saidclosed vessel at the Iowwhich the compl-assur commises unloadng ered temperature achleved therein, expanding means set to maintain a substantially constant.

30 Said Withdrawn liquid refrigerant t0 C001 Said relatively high suction pressure and which draws 50 brine compressing the expanded refrigerant y expanded refrigerant at said'substantially conafter it has cooled said brine and discharging stent, relatively high suction pressure from said such compressed refrigerant into said vessel. closed vessel, and a secondary refrigerant com- 3. A refrigerating system for producing relapressor-condenser-expander system of which the tively low temperatures by the Se 0f 8' refligcondenser is said closed vessel and of which 'the 65 erant normally incapable of producing such low compressor comprises unloading means set to tempefatules, Comprising a Primary GOmDIeSST maintain a substantially constant, relatively low condenser-expander system including a comsuction pressure whereby a relatively low tempressr Comprising unloading means set to mainperature is maintained in the expander of said o tain a substantially constant, relatively high sucsecondary refrigerant compressor-condenser-ex- 7o tion pressure, and a secondary compressor-con# pander system. denser-expander system connected thereto, of 8. A system for frosting the surface of a holwhich the condensing means comprises the exlow body by the use of dichloro-difiuoro-methane pending means of said primary system, and of which is normally incapable of producing a temprimary oompressor-condenser-expander system.

` using dichlomdiiiuoromethane as the refrigmately 25 pounds per square inch and which draws expanded refrigerant at said substantially goonstant.- relatively high suction pressure from laid closed vessel, a secondary refrigerant compressor-eondenserexpander system. using the A same dichlorc-diiiuoro-methane as the refriger- Karmut which tnecondenserissaid closedvessel and of which the compressor comprises unloadingmeanssettomsintainasubstantiallyconstaat, relatively low suction pressure of approximately 3 pounds per square inch whereby a relatively low temperature of approximately 12 F.

` said brine circulating system in heat transfer` ismaintainedinthe expanderofsuidseoondary refrigerant compressor-condenser-expander sysv tem, vaud a brine circulating system including saidlioliowbodyandmeanstopassthebrlnein ring relation with the dichloro-difluoro-methane in the expander of said secondary refrigerant compressor-eondenser-expander system whereby the brine passes through said hollow body at a temperature well below the freezing temperature of water and close to 0 F.

9. The process of chilling a. liquid for u se as a chilling medium for hollow bodies through which the liquid is circulated comprising compressing a volatile refrigerant at a relatively high liressure and temperature, condensing said refrigerant, expanding said refrigerant into a closed vessel, withdrawing gaseoim refrigerant from the upper part of said closed vessel to lower-.the temperature therein and recirculating such withdrawn refrigerant through the steps of compression at said relatively high pressure and temperature, condensationand discharge into said closed vessel, withdrawing liquid refrigerant from the lower part of said closed vessel at the lowered temperature achieved therein, expanding said withdrawn liquid refrigerant to cool said liquid, compressing the expanded refrigerant after it has cooled said liquid and discharging such compressed refrigerant into said vessel to be condensed thereinby the expansion of refrigerant therein. v

RAFAEL A. GONZALEZ. 

